Omaha Businesses Demand Relief from Streetcar Construction

The Streetcar Impact Alliance calls for grants, tax breaks, and free parking from the city

Feb. 25, 2026 at 12:06am

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A newly formed group of downtown Omaha businesses, called the Streetcar Impact Alliance, is demanding action from Mayor John Ewing to address the negative impacts of ongoing streetcar construction along Farnam and Harney Streets. The businesses say the construction is driving away customers and costing them revenue, and they are calling for more communication from the city, as well as financial assistance in the form of grants, tax breaks, and free parking for employees and neighbors.

Why it matters

The streetcar project is a major infrastructure investment for Omaha, but the construction is taking a toll on nearby businesses that rely on foot traffic and easy access for customers. The Streetcar Impact Alliance's demands highlight the tension between the long-term benefits of the streetcar and the short-term challenges faced by local businesses during the construction phase.

The details

The Streetcar Impact Alliance, which has grown quickly since forming, sent its top demands to Mayor Ewing on Tuesday. The group is calling for more communication from the city, as well as financial assistance in the form of grants, tax breaks, and free parking for employees and neighbors. Noah Mock, co-owner of Nite Owl in Blackstone, said the construction has changed customer behavior, with people avoiding the area. Clark Ross, chair of the Streetcar Impact Alliance, said the parking shortage is making it difficult for businesses to retain both workers and customers. The alliance has given Mayor Ewing until March 6 to respond to its demands, and if the city does not act, the group says it is "prepared to escalate this matter to the City Council and engage in a sustained public awareness campaign."

  • The Streetcar Impact Alliance sent its demands to Mayor Ewing on Tuesday, February 25, 2026.
  • The alliance has given Mayor Ewing until March 6, 2026 to respond to its demands.

The players

Streetcar Impact Alliance

A newly formed group of downtown Omaha businesses that is demanding action from the city to address the negative impacts of ongoing streetcar construction.

John Ewing

The mayor of Omaha, who the Streetcar Impact Alliance has given until March 6, 2026 to respond to its demands.

Noah Mock

The co-owner of Nite Owl in Blackstone, who said the construction has changed customer behavior and driven people away from the area.

Clark Ross

The chair of the Streetcar Impact Alliance, who said the parking shortage is making it difficult for businesses to retain both workers and customers.

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What they’re saying

“They tend to, you know, change their patterns and go somewhere else.”

— Noah Mock, Co-owner of Nite Owl

“If the people who are paid to be here are having a hard time getting here, customers are not gonna be interested in fighting all of that, when they could easily just go to a different part of town.”

— Clark Ross, Chair of the Streetcar Impact Alliance

What’s next

The Streetcar Impact Alliance has given Mayor Ewing until March 6, 2026 to respond to its demands. If the city does not act, the group says it is "prepared to escalate this matter to the City Council and engage in a sustained public awareness campaign."

The takeaway

The demands from the Streetcar Impact Alliance highlight the challenges that local businesses can face during major infrastructure projects, even if those projects are expected to bring long-term benefits to the community. The city will need to balance the needs of the streetcar project with the concerns of the affected businesses in order to maintain a thriving downtown Omaha.